If you’re planning a trip to Oman, you’re most likely wondering how many days you’re gonna need. In my opinion, ten days is exactly enough to see the version of Oman that made me want to come back: Muscat, the coast, the desert, Nizwa, and the mountains. A loop without crossing the same places, optimising your time in this stunning Gulf country. Here is exactly how I routed it, night by night, based on my own trip.
Need an introduction to Oman first? Read my Oman Travel Guide. For a car, insurance, and everything you need to know about renting a car, read my article about it. As a photographer, I wrote an article about the best photo spots of Oman too.
In This Post
The Goat Market of Nizwa: Worth to build your trip around
There’s one thing to remember before booking anything, as you want to be in Nizwa on Friday morning. You can drive this route in reverse, starting in the mountains and ending on the coast. I only figured this out after my trip, when I missed Nizwa’s Friday goat market because my own schedule had me flying out that day. If the goat market matters to you (and it should!), plan your route so you arrive in Nizwa on a Thursday evening, in either direction, so Friday morning is free for it.
Oman is 14-Day Visa Free
The second note before we head to the article: Oman gives 14-day visa-free entry to more than 100 nationalities, including most EU passports. A 10-day trip fits inside that window with days to spare, so you skip the visa application entirely. Check your own passport against Oman’s official list before you book, since not every nationality is included.
Renting a car in Oman
The third and final note: For this itinerary, you need a rental car. A 4×4 isn’t necessary as you can visit any spot with a regular 2-wheel drive. The only spots you can’t visit with a sedan are the desert and Jebel Akhdar, if you choose that over Jebel Shams on Day 8. For the full breakdown a car, read my article on renting a car in Oman.
Day 1-2: Muscat
After you arrive, you want to spend the first one or two days in Muscat. You’ll also end with a final night in Muscat, where you’ll have time to do the things you didn’t get done on the first nights yet. It’s important that you immediately pick up your rental car, so you can start exploring right away.
A great order for your first days could be like this:
Day 1: Arrival in Oman, head to Mutrah Souq or Mall of Oman
Day 2: Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the morning, and head to the Daymaniyat Islands after. Finish your day at the Mutrah Souq or Mall of Oman
Day 3: Continue your journey to Sur
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Oman’s largest mosque, and one of the few in the country open to non-Muslim visitors. The main prayer hall holds a hand-woven carpet that took four years to make and a 14-meter chandelier, both once the largest of their kind in the world.
This mosque is open to visitors from 8:00 to 11:00, Saturday to Thursday, and closed to tourists on Friday. But we already decided that you want to be in Nizwa on Friday anyway. Entry is free. The dress code is tight: long sleeves and long pants for everyone, and women need a headscarf, which you can borrow at the entrance if you forget one. Go right at opening to avoid both the heat and the tour buses.
Mutrah
In my opinion, Mutrah is the most beautiful part of Muscat. It’s the old harbour district, located towards the east side of the city. It also offers the souq where you can still wander through the alleys, hunting for souvenirs. Most shops close down during the afternoon, so come either in the early morning, or closer towards sunset for the best experience.
Daymaniyat Islands
The Daymaniyat Islands are nine islands just off the coast of Muscat. If you only thought about desert in Oman, you’re wrong! This tropical paradise has turquoise blue water and is the best spot for snorkeling. You might see turtles, or even reef sharks and sometimes whale sharks along the coast.
Some things to note:
- You’re only allowed to step on the beaches from 1 November to 30 April. Out of this season, you stay on the boat or in the waters.
- The best season for seeing whale sharks is from July to September. The whale sharks are not being fed and the marine areas are heavily protected.
The best way to visit Daymaniyat Islands is through a tour that you can book on GetYourGuide. Where most of your itinerary can be a self drive, this is one of the only places where you really want to book a tour.
This trip starts either in the morning or in the afternoon and will keep you busy for about 5 hours. Snacks will be provided, but this doesn’t replace a full meal. Check the availability immediately below and book your tour to Daymaniat Islands.
Mall of Oman
A rather odd but very useful recommendation for your first days in Oman, is to visit Mall of Oman. If you’re into malls, then it’s worth a visit anyway, but even if you’re not, it will elevate your trip. Why?
At Mall of Oman you will find Hypermax and Decathlon, two shops for all your essentials that you couldn’t bring on your flight. If you decide to go wild camping, it’s the place to buy camping gear. Even if you’re not, you’ll find one of the biggest supermarkets of the country here. I used it to stock up my car with sweet and savoury snacks for my road trip ahead.
My favourite buy was a freezer bag. I love some chocolate on my road trips, so I bought some and kept them cool in this freezer bag. Good to know is that I traveled in January, when it didn’t get that hot during the day. I’m not sure if it will be as cool in the hot and dry summer months, but it’s worth a try!
Most shops are open until late, so it’s a good place to end your day.
Where to stay in Muscat
I stayed at two different places across two trips to Muscat, and they cater to different budgets. If you just want a good night’s sleep before an early start, Hilton Garden Inn covers that without any fuss. If you want a proper 5-star experience to set the tone for the rest of the trip, Hormuz Grand Muscat is where you want to stay, it is close to the mosque and Mutrah, has mountain views from the rooms, and serves a proper breakfast before a full day out. I stayed there on a collaboration.
Day 3: The coast to Sur
After your time in Muscat, it’s time to head into the country. The coastline towards Sur is a beautiful journey that you can easily break up into three segments: Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, and ultimately Sur. In Sur you can visit the turtle reserve before you head on with this road trip.
A suggested order for the day:
- 9:00 AM: Depart Muscat for Bimmah Sinkhole (1.5h ride, 1 hour stop)
- 11:30 AM: Leave for Wadi Shab, but stop on the way for an early lunch (20m ride, 1 hour stop)
- 1:00 PM: Enter Wadi Shab (expect to spend around 3 hours here)
- 4:00 PM: Leave Wadi Shab for Sur (40m ride)
- 5:00 PM: Check in to your hotel and head to the beach to see Sur come alive
Many tours decide to visit Wadi Shab as a first stop in the morning, arriving around 10. If you enter around 1, the crowd will walk out, and there’s less people in the wadi. This especially works well in the cooler months, as you want to avoid being deep in the wadi in the hottest moments of the day.
Bimmah Sinkhole
The first stop of the day is at Bimmah Sinkhole, and you’ll reach around 1.5 hours after leaving your hotel in Muscat. This is a crater filled with turquoise water, just next to the main road from Muscat to Sur. It’s a great spot for a picnic, a swim, and to see what kind of impact a crater has made in past times.
Both parking and admission are free. Just keep in mind that it’s a gated park, that is only open between 8AM and 8PM. As mentioned above, you want this to be your first spot on the way to Sur, and you’d most likely spend up to one hour here.
Wadi Shab
Wadi Shab is a canyon with a hike along rock formations, turquoise pools, ending up at a hidden cave and a small waterfall you can swim to. It’s one of the most visited spots in Oman, and part of any itinerary. Oman is home to many wadis, but due to the weather some can run dry. Wadi Shab is known to have water all year round, however water levels can depend on the season. Your stop here should take around 3 hours.
After parking your car, you need to take a short 2-minute boat to the start of the trail, which costs you 1 OMR. The hike takes about 45 minutes to the spot you can swim. Some segments can get very slippery, so water shoes are handy. I personally did it without. There are 3 pools ultimately leading you to a small cave and a waterfall inside. Once you can’t go any further, you know you’ve reached the end.
If everyone wants to swim, bring a dry bag (you can buy these at Decathlon too) or something waterproof to keep your car keys, phone and wallet safe. There’s nowhere to store them otherwise.
A couple of useful tips:
- Use the bathroom before entering the wadi, you won’t find toilets along the way.
- Wear shoes for the hike. It’s 45 minutes, and sandals won’t be too comfortable.
- Bring a towel and swim wear. A microfiber towel is what I use, so it won’t take too much space in my bag.
- Bring enough water, as it can get hot and you won’t run into any shops or food stalls.
- Bring your trash out, as there’s no trash can.
Even though the trail is not too clear all the time, it’s hard to get lost. If you prefer a guide, you can book a tour that meets you at the starting point to lead you through the canyon. The meeting point will be at the entrance. Alternatively you can book this tour combined with a visit to Bimmah Sinkhole from Muscat as well.
Sur
The final destination of this first driving day is Sur. It takes another 40 minutes from Wadi Shab, and it’s where you will stay the night. Sur is a trading town with a long maritime history.
During my trip I made my way to the corniche right away. The local population of Sur gathers around the beach towards the end of the day and it gives you a wonderful glimpse of local life. It’s a great location to take photos of the castles too. The old town has a big range of local shops, selling lots of local crafts. This is more of a local souq than the one you’ll see in Mutrah, so don’t expect it to be as touristy.
Sur is also the place where I had one of my favourite breakfasts during this trip. The exact location doesn’t exist anymore, but for around 1.5 OMR, I loved this small breakfast and I’m a huge fan of Middle Eastern food in general.
Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Oman has a large turtle population, but Ras Al Jinz is the only place where turtle watching is officially allowed. It’s a great place to stay the night too, even though it’s another 40 minutes out of town from Sur, so make sure you see your Sur highlights first.
Turtle viewing takes place at 9:00 PM or 5:00 AM, and the season is best from May to September. If you stay at the reserve itself, viewing is included in your stay. Staying elsewhere? Then you’ll need to book in advance, and it costs 12 OMR per person. For turtle viewing reservations, you can head straight to the official website.
Where to stay in Sur
For your time in Sur, I recommend staying at Ras Al Jinz Eco Reserve if you plan to visit the turtle reserve. If you’re skipping that, you can stay at Sur Grand Hotel, or Arabian Sea Marina if you prefer a smaller, family-run hotel.
Day 4: Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands)
From Sur, continue your road trip to Wahiba Sands, Oman’s main desert region, with red dunes rising over 100 meters and some of the darkest night skies in the country. It’s located between Sur and Nizwa and it takes around 1.5h to drive to Bidiyah, where most camps can arrange a pick up.
If you rented a sedan, like I did on my road trip, you want to book your camp in advance so you can arrange a pick up with the driver. One night is usually enough to experience what it’s like to sleep in the desert. The camps organise several activities, but most of these are optional. I enjoyed my time by just walking through the sand dunes, seeing a magical sunset and sunrise, and witness countless stars at night.
Wadi Bani Khalid
For those leaving Sur early, you might have time for an extra stop. A great option is visiting Wadi Bani Khalid, another famous wadi in Oman. It adds around 45 minutes on your driving time and it’s possible to swim in this wadi as well. I didn’t visit it myself, but it’s a great stop that I couldn’t leave out of this 10 Day Oman itinerary. Navigate here to find the parking spot.
Wadi Bani Khalid is one of Oman’s most accessible and most visited wadis, with clear emerald pools and golden cliffs. The main walk to the pools and a cave further in covers about 1.3 km each way with only a small elevation gain, and none of it requires swimming if you’d rather stay dry.
Crowds are the main downside: both locals and tourists visit this spot all the time as it requires no long hike, so if you want to have the pools to yourself, you want to arrive early. Cover your shoulders and upper legs out of respect for local dress norms. Once you’re done, you can continue to Bidiyah for some lunch and meet the driver who brings you to your camp.
Can I self drive in a 4x4 to my desert camp in Oman?
Technically you can, but I don’t recommend it. You need experience driving in sandy or desert conditions, and it’s hard to navigate through the desert. Mobile reception will fade away, and if you get stuck, it’s a long wait or walk back to get help. If you are experienced, you can deflate your tyres in Bidiyah
Where to stay in the desert?
I stayed at Desert Wonders Camp, highly rated on Booking.com. Other well-known desert camps include Stars Gate Camp and Sama Al Wasil Desert Camp, and they all arrange their own transfer from a fixed pickup point.
Your experience will be pretty similar, and the camps are in fact located not too far from each other, all around 15-20 minutes into the desert.
Is it worth it to stay in a desert camp in Oman?
This was my first ever experience to book an overnight stay in the desert, and it was truly memorable. Even more as I was one of the only guests in the camp, making it a highly private and exclusive experience. Seeing the stars at night, walking barefoot through the sand during sunset and sunrise, and being far from civilization, felt truly like I was disconnected from the world for a night. After my Oman trip, I had the privilege to stay in the Sahara Desert in Morocco and in the oasis of Huacachina, Peru.
If you’ve done an overnight stay in a desert before, then this is gonna be a similar experience as you’ve already had. So if you’re short on time and you’ve already stayed in a desert before, I would skip this and spend more time in the mountains of Oman. If you’ve never stayed in a desert before, it’s a must try.
Day 5-6: Nizwa
After checking out of your desert camp and being dropped off at your car in Bidiyah again, it’s time to head towards Nizwa. This is a journey of around 2 hours. Nizwa is a beautiful town with a stunning fort, Old Town, and the traditional goat market. Within one hour from Nizwa, you can visit multiple interesting sites like Bahla Fort, Misfat Al Abreyeen, and Al Hamra. I’ll break them down one by one underneath. Here’s a suggested itinerary for your time in Nizwa. Arrive preferably on a Wednesday or Thursday around 1PM. In this case, I assume you arrive on Thursday
- 2PM: Check-in to your hotel, and discover the streets of Nizwa
- 4PM: Head to the Nizwa Fort to see it during golden hour
- 7PM: Have dinner in the streets of Nizwa
Pro tip: Don’t try to drive and park into Nizwa Old Town itself. I tried that, and ended up in an alley like the photo above. The streets are so narrow that I ended up folding in my mirrors and getting talked through a gap by a local, just to get out without scratching my car. A scary experience, and I was so happy to park at this lot just outside instead.
Nizwa Souq & the Goat Market
As mentioned above, you’ll find the fort, the souq and so much more in this beautiful Omani town, but what it’s most famous for, is the Goat Market. It’s the only stop that needs a fixed moment, and fits perfectly on this 10 day Oman itinerary. I highlight this multiple times in this blog, as it’s one of the mistakes that I made. I didn’t make it to the Goat Market, and still want to go back just for that.
For the Goat Market, you want to arrive around 6 to 6:30 at the Nizwa Central Souq. The auctions take place until around 9AM. Make sure you wear modest clothes covering your knees and shoulders.
During your other free time in Nizwa, you can stroll through the little streets, visit one of the many local shops and buy souvenirs if you haven’t gotten some yet. These are besides the long driving the more relaxing days of your trip. It’s a holiday, after all.
Nizwa Fort
The fort of Nizwa is a true masterpiece and deserves a visit during your time in Nizwa. It was built in 1660 and is the most visited fort of Oman. It’s best to see it during golden hour, as the sunset from the top of the fort is magnificent.
Entry costs are 5 OMR per person and most people spend around 1.5 to 2 hours discovering the towers and the views.
Where to stay in Nizwa?
During my time in Nizwa I stayed at Bait Al Aqr. An affordable guest house in the middle of Old Town. I loved the traditional building with all the thick walls you expect in a medieval town. As you will have some more free time, this could be a good place to book a hotel with a pool too. A great option for this is Antique Inn, with the same traditional charm, close to Old Town, but a bit more luxurious. You’ll also find parking right in front of the hotel.
Day 7: Misfat Al Abreyeen & Al Hamra
After Nizwa, the road trip continues towards the mountains. Today is a full day with another beautiful fort, a mountain village and a rather odd but beautiful place to stay the night.
Bahla Fort
The drive to your first stop takes around 40 minutes. Bahla Fort is Oman’s only UNESCO-listed fort, and I was impressed by the condition after the big restoration that has taken place. The entrance fee is 4 OMR and many people consider it as more beautiful than Nizwa Fort. I am not sure about this, but go visit, and you can decide for yourself.
Misfat Al Abreyeen
After Bahla Fort, you can drive up to Misfat Al Abreyeen, a famous village high up in the mountains. This is one of the few mountain villages in Oman that people still live in, built from mud brick into the side of a cliff. It’s also one of the most photographed villages of Oman.
Below the village, a falaj irrigation channel runs through date and banana plantations, providing water for the plants. As a result, you’ll see lots of greens. A beautiful contrast to the rocky environment and a great place to walk around.
Shorts are not permitted in town and you’ll see this on the signs before entering, so pack long pants for this stop. A couple of hours here is enough, including the falaj walk and some lunch.
Al Hamra
Al Hamra is one of Oman’s oldest towns where people still live. It’s not that common for travellers to stop in this town, but it’s the perfect stop on your way to Jebel Shams. If you decide on Jebel Akhdar instead, you can stay another night in Nizwa instead.
Al Hamra has beautiful mountain views, and especially photographers will enjoy the final light of the day when driving around to hunt for great locations. Besides that, it’s a place to stay the night before heading to Jebel Shams.
Where to stay in Al Hamra?
Al Hamra has several smaller guest houses. Above you see the view I had from the rooftop of my guest house. To get this view, book Bait Aljabal Hospitality Inn. Another decent and top rated option in Al Hamra is Bait Aal Ahli.
Ps: If you’re searching for accommodation online, select the correct Al Hamra in Oman. There’s a town in Saudi Arabia with the same name, and you don’t want to end up booking a room in the wrong country.
If you’re not planning to visit Jebel Akhdar, you can drive back to Nizwa and stay in the same hotel as the nights before. You’d still have an amazing day trip, but location wise it’s better to head to Jebel Akhdar from Nizwa than from Al Hamra or Misfat.
Day 8: Jebel Shams / Jebel Akhdar
We’re heading towards the end of the trip, but not before visiting the grand canyon of the Middle East: Jebel Shams. There are two main mountain ranges that people visit in Oman: Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar. During my trip, i visited Jebel Shams as you can drive up without a 4×4.
As I wasn’t entirely sure when I went, I decided to drive up and go back if I wouldn’t trust it. After all it was an easy way up, without causing any troubles. Jebel Akhdar is a different story, as you need a 4×4 to get beyond the control point. More on that and solutions for it below.
Jebel Shams
The road towards Jebel Shams is partly asphalt, and partly gravel. The last 14 km to the start of the W6 Balcony hike are gravel road. I found the condition very good, but I do recommend knowing how to manually select a lower gear using your automatic car’s manual mode, this gives you more control on the descent. As an absolute beginner driver, I wouldn’t recommend trying to drive up, but if you have some years of experience, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Balcony Hike
The main attraction of Jebel Shams is, beside the view, the Balcony Hike. This is a roughly 8 km out-and-back, following the rim of the canyon to the abandoned village of As Sab. You’ll see lots of mountain goats, and the hike is fairly easy and beautiful all along the way.
The path is well marked with red, white, and yellow markers, and it’s hard to get lost. There are some narrow stretches with a drop of several hundred meters, so bring sturdy shoes and enough water on your hike. It’s best to do this hike around sunrise to beat the heat of the day. You’ll find a nice cafe at the parking lot to have a coffee after finishing your trail.
Where to stay in Jebel Shams?
If you stay the night at Jebel Shams, there are several options to choose from. There are beautiful domes that give you a great view of the canyon, and proper resorts for good night’s rest. I stayed at Jebel Shams Resort during my one night stay.
Jebel Akhdar
Jebel Akhdar is the ‘greener’ mountain range and one of the coldest locations of the country. Temperatures are on average 15 degrees lower than in the valleys, and you’ll find the famous Princess Diana viewpoint at the top. It’s also the place where you need a 4×4 to reach the top. This mountain range offers a numerous amount of luxurious hotels with some of the best views in the world.
How to visit Jebel Akhdar without a 4x4?
If you rented a sedan, just like I did on my trip, but still want to visit Jebel Akhdar, here are some solutions:
- Leave your car at the parking lot near the checkpoint in Birkat Al Mouz and hire a 4×4 taxi to take you up and back down, usually around 25 to 30 OMR round trip.
- Book a guided day tour from Muscat or Nizwa that includes the 4×4 transport. Most tours online leave from Muscat, so book it in person in Nizwa if you want your trip to depart from there.
- Arrange a pick up with your hotel in Jebel Akhdar.
- Rent a 4×4 for 24 hours in Birkat Al Mouz for around 40 to 50 OMR, this is a great option if you plan ahead. You can leave your sedan for the day, and rent a 4×4 to drive up. It’s best to contact the rental company via WhatsApp in advance, but they take last minute reservations too.
Where to stay in Jebel Akhdar?
If I ever get the chance to visit this mountain range, Alila Jebel Akhdar is on top of my bucket list. This Hyatt property has some of the best views, and offers world class service on a location like this. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive, but I’m sure the experience is one of its own. Another 5-star option is Anantara, offering stunning views without sacrificing on service. If you want a decent stay, and spend a bit less, Sama Hotel is a great option as well.
Day 9-10: Back to Muscat
After staying the night in the mountains, it’s time to head back to Muscat. As there’s still a couple of hours driving to go, I suggest getting back to Muscat the day before your flight. This gives you enough time to clean your car, buy some final souvenirs and get ready for your way back. If there’s a certain spot around Al Hamra, Nizwa or Muscat you still want to see, you can do this on day 9 as well.
All in all, you’ve seen the best of Oman through this 10 Day Oman Itinerary. Of course you can adjust it according to your needs. You don’t have to stay in the desert, and maybe one night in Nizwa might be enough and you decide to stay in both mountain ranges. This Oman itinerary gives you a framework to work around. Usually the only fixed activity is the goat market in Nizwa. All the other spots are up to yourself. Have you seen a spot that’s missing in this itinerary, and should be part of it? Let me know in the comments down below.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Oman Itinerary
Is 10 days enough for Oman?
Yes, for the route above. It covers Muscat, the coast, wadis, the desert, Nizwa, and the mountains without needing to cut any of them short. A longer trip mostly gives you flexibility, not more territory. Adding Salalah? Budget at least 3 days to another week for that.
What's the dress code in Oman?
Cover your shoulders and knees as a baseline, for both men and women, this applies at religious sites, the goat market, and villages like Misfat. Women don’t need a headscarf outside the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, where one is provided for free if you don’t have your own. Loose, breathable clothing works better than anything tight, especially outside the cooler months. I personally like to wear linen pants.
When is the best time to do this Oman itinerary?
October to April is the sweet spot, with January among the coolest months. This also lines up with the Daymaniyat Islands’ open season (November to April) and, if you land in late March or April, the rose harvest at Al Ayn on Jebel Akhdar. Summer (May to September) brings extreme heat, though it’s also whale shark season near the Daymaniyat Islands if that’s a priority for you.
Is Oman safe to visit?
Yes, Oman is consistently one of the safer countries to travel in the region. Petty crime is rare, and the culture leans toward hospitality. I noticed people are not after your money at all. I even lost my wallet (with money inside) at the airport, and picked it up with everything inside at lost and found, just 5 minutes later. Normal precautions still apply: dress modestly, respect local customs, and be sensible with valuables in touristy spots like souqs.
Do I need a 4x4 for this Oman itinerary?
No, this entire 10 day Oman itinerary can be done without a 4×4. The only places you would need them is to reach your desert camp or visit Jebel Akhdar. Arrange a pick up for your desert camp, and rent a 4×4 taxi or an own 4×4 for the day to visit Jebel Akhdar
What is the best order to do this route in?
Muscat, then the coast toward Sur, then Wahiba Sands, then Nizwa, then the mountains, then back to Muscat. This follows the actual geography rather than backtracking, since Wahiba Sands is between the coast and Nizwa. The route also works in reverse, which is worth considering if you want to guarantee a Thursday evening arrival in Nizwa for Friday’s goat market.
If I only have 8 days, what should I cut?
Cut the desert overnight first. It is a nice experience, but it is one you can have in plenty of other countries, whereas the wadis, forts, and mountains felt uniquely Omani to me. If you would rather keep the desert night and are not much of a mountain person or hiker, skip Jebel Shams or Jebel Akhdar instead.
Is swimming with whale sharks in Oman ethical?
Generally yes, as long as the operator follows standard no-touch, no-feeding guidelines. Whale sharks at the Daymaniyat Islands are not fed to attract them, unlike some other destinations that have drawn criticism for exactly that practice. Reputable operators keep a respectful distance, let the shark set the pace, and won’t chase or corner it. Ask an operator directly about their approach before booking if this matters to you.
If you have any other experience, please let me know below.
More about Oman
If you’re still planning, start with the Oman Travel Guide for the bigger picture: visa rules, budget, culture, and safety. Renting a car in Oman explains everything about road conditions, traffic, laws, and the sedan versus 4×4 question in full. The best photography spots in Oman goes into the light, timing, and composition for every stop on this route, the details this itinerary deliberately leaves out.